Sheet gathering machine



H. T. HONIG SHEET GATHERING MACHINE June 26, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 15, 1946 NOT m m w W M :M NH J \l O 9 0 2------ T M 5 V h m M m8 Na 9 m. fl ma H V B (a n2 \l.) a m m a i I m u n 2. v: m

Arroauavs June 26, 1951 H. T. HONIG 2,553,585 6 SHEET GATHERING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 E N R O n \NVENTOR II'IIIII II 'IIIII III,"

June 26, 19 51 H. 'r. HONIG SHEET GATHERING MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 15, 1946 m. mm M \m T Y R N E H ATTORNEYS June 26, 1951 H. T. HONIG 2,558,685

SHEET GATHERING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 11/ I 1/ 1/ I I I I 1 1/1 1/ 1/1/11 I I 11 2 FIG \NVENTOR HENRY T. Home m 3 Q ATTORNEYS June 26, 1951 H. 'r. ome

SHEET GATHERING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1946 l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 NVENTOR jie'illizmsz ATTORNEYS June 26, 1951 H. T. HONIG 2,558,685

SHEET GATHERING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 i 5 66 r luvam'on HENRY T. Home on M ATTORNEY5 June 26, 1951 H. T. HONIG SHEET GATHERING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 15, 1946 \NVENTOR HENRY T. Home L W ATTORNEYS 1 1951 H. T. HONIG SHEET GATHERING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed April 15, 1946 m T N E V N HENRY T. Home fi ATTORNEYS June 26, 1951 H. T. HONIG SHEET GATHERING MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 15, 1946 mvamoR HENY T. Home ATTORNEYS June 26, 1951 H. T. HONIG 2,553,535

SHEET GATHERING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 1o \NVENTQR HENRY '1'. Home ATTORNYS June 26, 1951 m 2,558,685

SHEET GATHERING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 \o F M Q Q E 0 a 9- 5 s 5 I 2 2 $21 as :2 kl l I w Patentecl June 76, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs SHEET GATHERING MACHINE Henry T. Honig, Dallas, Tex. Application April 15, 1946, Serial No. 662,247

4 Claims.

This invention relates to paper handling machines and more particularly to machines in which a plurality of piles of paper are removed and placed in a single pile in proper selected order.

When a plurality of piles of paper sheets are printed or otherwise duplicated, with all the sheets in any one pile identical, it is usually desirous or necessary to remove one sheet from each of the piles in proper order or with one particular sheet on top, another particular sheet second and soon with one sheet from each pile to a group. It is also desirous to place a backing sheet at the bottom of the pile to which the sheets are to be moved and also to place a backing sheet on the top of the pile after a certain number of sheets or books are removed. This sorting and piling of printed or duplicated sheets is usually done by hand which is necessarily slow and costly.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a machine which will remove the top sheet from each of a plurality of piles of sheets of printed or duplicated sheets and place them in proper order in a single pile. Another object is to provide a machine which will place a backing g sheet at the bottom of the pile of sorted and gathered sheets and will place another at the top of the sorted pile. Another object is to provide means for selecting in advance the number of sheets moved to the sorted pile between the backing sheets. Another object is to provide means for accomplishing the foregoing objects quickly and automatically.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a machine incorporating the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan View thereof with the middle portion of the machine broken away.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the machine taken along line 33 in Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view showing the operation of the swing arm which supports the suction cross head taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the machine showing the vertically movable printed sheet supporting table and the conveyor and the drive therefor taken along line 5-5 in Fig. 3 looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view of one of the sheet supporting 2 tables taken along line 66 in Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view of the portion of the machine shown in Fig. 6. V

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the eccentric and ratchet for raising the sheet supporting table.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of the portion shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the handle and handle operated switch means for manually raising and lowering the sheet supporting tables.

Fig. 11 is an elevational view of the portion shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the clutch and gear drive for raising the sheet supporting table.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view through the frame of the machine showing the suction cross head with a portion shown in cross section.

Fig. 14 is an under plan view of the suction cross head as shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is an end view of the suction cross head.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary elevational view of the means for controlling the feeding of the backing sheets.

Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional view of the portion shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary under plan view of the switch for controlling the feed of the backing sheets and the cam on the ratchet wheel for operating the switch.

Fig. 19 is a rear View of a portion of the ratchet wheel for controlling the feeding of the backing sheets together with the stop for resetting of the ratchet wheel, and

Fig. 20 is an electric wiring diagram of the control of the clutches for raising and lowering the sheet supporting tables and the control of the suction to the suction cross head.

Referring now to the details of the drawing in e which like reference numerals refer to like parts is vertically slidably guided in bearing block 43 secured to the longitudinal frame member 32.

Teeth i i are formed along one side of eachrod 42 which mesh with a spur gear 35 keyed to sleeve it, Fig. 12, freely rotatable in the bearing block 43. nally of the machine in the end frame members 25 and 27 and is freely rotatable in eachof the sleeves 36. A toothed ratchet wheel s8 is formed integrally with sleeve 56 and cooperates with ratchet dog 59, Fig. '7, to hold thetable from-dropping while the clutch is disengaged; This ratchet dog is pivotally mounted with a pin 59- on-the bearing block 53.

Means are provided for releasing this holding ratchet dog from the-ratchet wheel whereby the table may be lowered and includes a rock shaft rotatably-mounted inthe-end framemembers 25, 26 and 28 and has an arm-52 secured-thereto, one for each-table; A'rod fidispivotally attached atone of its ends to the lever 52, the other end of which is-slidablethrough an opening in'the arm 54 of ratchet dog 39. A collar 55 issecured to the rod 53 and a helical compression spring 't is located around rod 53 between-the collar 55 and'arm E l-thereby yieldably-holding the ratchet dog 49in engagement with the ratchet wheel. A nut 57 is screwed onto the threaded end of rod 53-and engages arm 5d of the ratchet dog-whereby ona slight clockwise'rotation of shaft 5% theratchetdog ts is moved away from the ratchet wheel 48 allowing the sheet supporting tableto be moved downwardly. A- lever 2i? is'secured to the forward end of shafttladjacentthe front face of frame member 25 whereby shaft E i may be selectiveiy rocked to ratchet engaged or ratchet released position.-

An internally toothed clutch member 58 Fig.

12,'isscrewed to the side of ratchet wheel 58 and cooperates with an externally toothed clutch member as -to transmit the rotative motion'of shaft l'l' to spur gear ifi'to raise the sheet-supporting table dl. This clutch'member 59 is keyed with key 66 to shaft 47 and is-provided with an annular grooved portion El into which is rotatably located a clutch collar 2 l which receives the trunnion pins 52 of clutch lever 63: The clutch lever 33 is pivotally mounted on a bracket E l, Fig. 6, secured to a portion of the machine frame and the outer end thereof is connected through a link 65 to the armature 65 of a solenoid 57: mounted on a fixed portion of the machine frame. A helical tension spring 68 is attached at one end to the clutch lever 53 and at its other end is attached to a bracket 59 secured above the solenoid. When the solenoid El is electrically energized the armature moves outwardly moving the clutch lever 63 to engage the clutch members whereby the rotative motion of the shaft d? is transmitted to the gear 45. When the solenoid is deenergized the spring 68 pulls the clutch lever 63 to clutch disengaging position.

Means are provided for transmitting the rotative motionof shafteil to a step by step rotative A shaft dl is rotatably mountedilongitudi motion of shaft 47 and is best shown in Figs. 8 and 9. An eccentric collar H3 is secured to the shaft 39 around which is rotatably mounted a ring "H held from endwise movement relative to the collar ll! by means or a flange '52 at one end of the collar l8 and a circular plate 73 screwed to the collar "iii. A pull rod 14 at one end is attached to the ring ii and at its other end is pivotally attached on a pin l'e' to, a radially outwardiy extending ear E5 of a hub .l freely rotatably on a shaft ll. A ratchet pawl 18 is also pivotally mounted on a pin 'H and engages a toothed ratchet wheel l9 keyed to the shaft 4?. A helical tension spring 8% is attached at one end to an outwardly extending arm 8! of the pawl 18 and at its other end to a bracket 32 secured to the. under side ofthe lateral frame member 36.

Means are also provided for withdrawing the pawl lfi'from engagement with the ratchet Wheel whereby the sheet supporting tables may belowered and' this'is accomplished by an arm 83; secured to the rock shafte'lpivotally'conneoted'by a pints to a link 35 which is pivotally connected to'the'end of the-pawl it. The-pivotalconnection between the arm 83 and the link 85 is made with lostmotion by having the pin tit-movein the slotted recess 5% inthe link 8d: When the shaft 39 isrotated the pull rod'llfl is ivenareciprocating mction which is transferredto rotary motion-by the pawl. The-pawl incounterclockwise rotary motion slides over the teeth of the ratchet wheel but on clockwise-motionthe pawl 78 iniluencedbythe spring ti! engages one of the teeth of the ra chet w-heeland moves it and shaft counterclockwise to lower the sheetsupporting table.

The inner corners of the-sheets supported on the tables are guided vertically by posts 87; as best shown in 6 7; and are shaped-to fit the vertical edges of thepaper sheets. These guide-posts are adjustable longitudinally of the machine to regulate the'distancebetween adjacent guide posts for each table to guide paper sheet of any width within the limits of the adjustment.- ends bear against the'frarne member 3| andare slidable longitudinally of the machine. They are provided with longitudinal-slots 8%; one for each guide post, through which the narrowed neck 89 of each of the nuts iiliextend, one secured to each of the guide posts. Each of the nuts efibears slidably against the rear face of the frame member 45! and is screw threadedly received on the rod Bi which is rotatably mounted in the frame members 25; 2t and 23Vand is providedwith right and left hand threads whereby on rotation of the rod M, by means of a handle Q2 secured to its forward end, adjacent guide posts 3? at each table will be moved either toward or away from each other centrally of the table. The inner edges of the sheets of paper are also guided centrally by a vertical central guide post Q3 which is screwed intermediate its ends to the frame member iil.

Means are also provided for locatin and holding the upper sheets properly at their outer corners, being adjustable to accommodate all sizes within the limit of the adjustment. Rods 96, one for each of the outer corners of the sheets, are located horizontally and laterally of the machine and on their outer ends eachhas securedthereon a block provided with hori The guide posts 8? at their bottom Zontally extending ears 96 at right angles toeach other to which are pivotally mounted and dependent therefrom the guide fingers 97:. These guide fingers 9'! engage the two outer corners of the upper sheets of each pile of sheets and guide and hold the sheets in their proper location. These guide fingers are adjustably movable to accommodate various widths and lengths of sheets. The rods 96 are each longitudinally slidably mounted in a housing 98 and each rod is provided with rack teeth 98 at its upper side which teeth mesh with a gear I89 keyed to a rod IGI rotatably mounted in each of the housings 9B and in the frame members 25, 25 and 28. A crank It2 is located on the forward end of rod I! at the front end of the machine whereby on rotation thereof, the guide fingers are moved inwardly r outwardly through shaft Ifll, gear I0!) meshing with rack teeth 99.

Each of the housings '98 are adjustable longitudinally of the machine and have a narrowed portion I63 extending through slots in a bar loll which bar is secured at its ends to the plate frame members 25 and 28. This narrowed portion m3 is secured to a block I with the housing 98 hearing slidably against the underside of the bar I6 and block I85 bearing slidably against the underside of the bar IE4. The block I055 is screw threadedly received on a rod 8% rotatably mounted in the frame members 25, 26 and 23 and is provided with right and left hand screw threads. Lever I52 is movably adapted to be located on the end of either shaft IllI or IE6 and when located on the end of the shaft I06 and on rotation thereof the guide fingers 97 are moved toward or away from each other at each table and maintained centrally thereof.

The solenoid 61 when energized holds the clutch members 58 and 59 in engagement to raise the tables ll and the sheets thereon. When the top sheet on each table is at the proper height to be picked up and moved to the conveyor, means are provided to deenergize the solenoid whereby the clutch will become disengaged to stop further vertical movement of each table. Adjacent each table M an arm Hill, Figs. 6 and '7, has a horizontal portion extending over the sheets of paper with a feeler head I08 at the end thereof and a vertical portion which is secured to one end of a rod I99. The rod I89 is rotatably mounted in bearing blocks Ilt secured to the frame member 36 and a downwardly depending lever I I i is secured to its inner end. A switch H2 is mounted on the frame member 36 closely adjacent the lower end of the lever Ill and a helical tension spring H3 is attached to the lower end of lever H I and at its other end is attached to a plate IM secured to the frame of the machine yieldably holdin lever II I out of contact with switch H2 and yieldably holding feeler button Hi8 downwardly against the top sheet of the pile of sheets on each table.

When all the sheets of any one of the tableshave been removed and that table moves upwardly and the solenoid 67 becomes deenergized through the lever It! and the switch II 2 and clutch members 53 and 59 become'disengaged. Means are provided for reengaging the clutch members 58 and 59 and as shown in Figs.

and 11, shaft ll, to which clutch members 59 I are keyed, extend forward through the frame members and 26. A tube H5 is slidably located over the end of the shaft 41 and has a disk H6 secured to the inner end thereof, the

tube and disk being movable to operate switch I I'Isecured to the front face of plate 26. A compression spring H8 is located around the shaft l! and is compressed between the plate 26 and disk IE6 yieldably holding the disk away from the switch I IT. A collar I I9 having a flange I20 is rotatably mounted in a bearing I2I formed in the frame member 25, and on the tube H5. A collar I22 is secured over the inner end of the collar H9 to keep it from sliding endwise. A crank H23 is located in a slot I24 formed in the flange I26 and is rotatably mounted on a pin I25 extending therethrough. The tube H5 is provided with diametrically opposite longitudinal slots I 28 and a pin I21 extends through the shaft 41, slots I27 in tube H5 and through flange I20 whereby on rotation of crank I23 shaft 41 will be rotated. A shoulder I28 formed on the crank 23 engages the end of the tube H5 and when the lever I23 is pushed inwardly the tube H5 and disk H6 are also moved inwardly thus operating the switch Ill. The switch IN is electrically connected to the solenoid s? so that when the circuit to any one of the solenoids 6'! is broken by reason of the sheets of paper hav-- ing all been removed from the respective table, the circuit to any of the solenoids 6 may be restored by pushing inwardly on crank I23 whereby the clutch members '58 and 58 become engaged thus allowing the tables to be lowered by a counterclockwise rotation of the crank I23. When any one of the tables reaches its lowermost position the clutch for that table must become disengaged and this is accomplished by providing a switch 29, Figs. 5 and 6, one for each table mounted in location to be operated by the end of the rod 4 3, on which the table is mounted, when the table reaches its lowermost position. The switch nected with the solenoid til and, when normal, the circuit to the solenoid 8? is closed whereby the clutch is engaged and when depressed by the rod 34, as it reached. its lowermost position, the

circuit to the solenoid is broken, disengaging the' clutch for that table and allowing continued rotation of shaft ll! for lowering of the other tables. As each table reaches its lowermost position the clutch for that table is disengaged until all the tables are lowered and all the clutches are disengaged. After the tables are supplied with a new pile of sheets of paper the circuits to the solenoids are restored by pushing inwardly on the crank E23 whereby the clutches are all engaged and on rotation of the crank I23 the tables may be raised.

Means are provided for removing the printed sheets and the backing sheets from the tables to a conveyor which includes upwardly extending arms I393, Figs. 3 and 4t, pivotally mounted at ISI on each of the plate frame members 26 and 28 each having a downwardly extending arm I32 formed integral therewith. A suction cross head as best shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 15 having tubular trunnions EM secured to and extending outwardly from both ends thereof is pivotally mounted in boss 35 at the upper end of each arm Hit. The suction cross head I33 is pivotally mounted in the arms I3t whereby it may be maintained in a horizontal position in moving between the tables and the conveyor and this is accomplished :-y arms I36 each secured by means of a screw it? to the tubular trunnions its at each end of the cross head. Each arm I35 is provided at its outer end with a roller I38 which is adapted to ride in a cam track I39 I29 is electrically con-- assessed 7 formed in theinn'crface of the hollbwendframe members 25' and Z-I-Z Thus-rollers lt8 foll'owing in cam tracks i39 maintain the cross head in: horizontal position at all times during its move-- ment.

Thecrosshead i33 is movable from-the'pick'-' up position over the tables tothe delivery p'osi' tion'over the conveyor by means of cranks- M secured to both ends of the shaft 39 and p'iv otally connected by link let to the lower end eithe -arms 532. Thus the rotary'motion of the shaft 33 is transferred to a rocking motion ofthe arms see whereby theoross head i'33 moves arcuately in openings is? formed in the plate membersQB' and 28? w The bat-sing sheets are placed on the table nearest the front of the machineor the one to theleftin 2-and the cross head 533 is provided w-ith a suction head-assembly M3 to=pick up the backingv sheets-and deliver them to the conveyor. The printed sheets are placed on the other tables nd the cr ss'head l s't is provided with a suction headas: rnbly i "'-ior eachltable carrying printedsheets. lhe suction cross head has a short passage M5 at one end which'communicates with the adjacent trunnion tube at one en'd and'at its other end is connect-cd'by a flexible hose 55 to an air pipe 557 which is connected to a suction pump it driven" by an electric motor led with asolenoid operated valve Iii? interposed-in the pipe i ll. As the crosshead' moves-to its various positions the air hose M5 will fiex to follow the crosshead. The solenoid operated-valve its controls the suction-to suction head assembly 5-3. The cross head is also provided with a long central passage 252 which communicates with all the suc in head assemblies l i' which pick up the printed sheets and communicates with the tubular trunnion l3 l at the rear end of the cross head. A flexible air hose: 55 i is connected at one end to this trunl ltil and at the other end is connected an airpipe-"i512 which is connected to the'suction pumpfii't with a solenoid operated valve 153- in-' terpose'd" in the pipe 552' to control the vacuum to -th'e suction heads Each of the suction head assemblies I 33 and asbest shownin Figs. i3, 14 and 15, is se'- oured 'to the u rside of the cross head I33 and communicates th the-passage Hi l; the flow ofair through these passages being controlled'by a :atc valve E55 whereby when any table t' in use the respective .lve for that table may be turned off. Each ion head assembly has a central suction head 5% with a suction cup 551" downwardly extending therefrom having'a central opening idd connected to passage I54: Rods I59 are secured to and extend longitudinally from both ends of each suction head I56" and "each has adjustably mounted thereon a suction head ass provided. with a downwardly ex-- tending suction cup 555 communicating with a. vertical passage Each of the suction heads itdfis pneumatically connected to'the air passage Ed t by means of flexible air hose i53, one of i which is connected between each suction headie'e'fand its respective suction head !5% with'the outer ends of the hoses communicating with the passages: I52 and at their inner ends with the horizontal passages ifi tin the suction headsl55 opening to the passage H58.

Conveyor frame members 565 are mounted in parallel-relation longitudinally of the machine on theframe members 29, 3t and 35- as bestsho-wnin l ig. 5'.- A conveyor plate lfifi h avi'ng upturned: edges 16 is secured to: the topside of thefrani'e members I and extends longitudinally oi the machine extending between plate niem'b'ers Zt andZS and terminating at its rear'end adjacent the plate member 28' in the downwardly."angularly'extending chute !58; Fig. 3; projecting through opening iiill'in the plate 28.

A tray l'lihat? the front end of the machine toireceive the'backing sheets and a plurality of trays" HI to receive the printed sheets are secured'betw'een' the upturned edges 56'! ofthe oonveyor plate with'one tray opposite each table 4+. Each' tray'has an upwardly extending forward edge H2: with the bottom of each tray spaced. slightly above the conveyor plate i655. The: bottom of each tray extends substantially half way between its forward upturned edge and the upturned edge of the next adjacent tray. Each tray is'p'rovided with a plurality of longitudinal openings through the bottom thereof andpartially up the upturned forward edge i 52".

'Ihaconveyor piate'IE5 is provid d with a p1u rality of corresponding "Longitudinal slots il l. These op'enings IE3 and slots iid are provided for'the passage of fingers iifi of which there are two-sets secured at diametrically opposite locations on chains H5 located around sprocket; I1?" and l'iiif The sprockets ii?! and 4'58 are attached to the shafts H9 and 5% adjacent the forward plate member and rear plate members 28 respectively and are rotatably mounted in bearing members E8! secured to the inner faces of the conveyor the frame members I. Bars is? are supported under the upper run of the" chains i82to 'support the chain horizcntally'without sagging whereby the iingerslie will be effective to move the sheets from each tray to the chute A sprocket ldfi is securedto'ith'e shaft HM: which is driven by a chain I8 3 from -a sprocket E85; secured to ashaft i8fi rotatably' mounted in the frame of the machine; Anothersprocket i8? is secured to 'the'shaft [SS-driven by a'chain I33 from a sprocket I89 securedto ashaft 592 extending fromand'driven by the speed reducer QB. Thus the-shaft lSQ'and the conveyor chain with fingers H5 thereon are driven by the motor through the speed reducer and the chain and sprocket drive.

Thus'whena' backing sheet and printed sheets are delivered to the trays lid and l'i l, the fingers ['15 moving through the openings 5'53 and slots I S i; firstengage the backing sheet on the tray I'll)" mov'ingdt: toward the rear of the conveyor whereiitwillbe moved from the tray He onto theconveyor plate' i 66 and under the first printed sheet. Then-the fingers i'ifi'en'gage the forward edge of the:first printed sheet on the forward trays Ill moving. the back sheet and the first printed sh'eet toward the rear of the machine until th'e'printedsheet is moved from the tray onto the backing sheet. Thus the fingers move along until all the sheets deposited on the trays are: moved along with each subsequently engaged' sheet-on topof the previously engaged and. moved sheet. The gathered sheets are moved toichute 5% from which they move by gravity"th'rough an auxiliary chute iti into a receptacle'lsi which is designed to receive and properly locate the sheets in a single pile.

Theusual praotice is to have a backing sheet at' thebottom of the gathered pile'of sheets and anotlie backing shset'atthe top'of the pile-of a selected amount" of gathered sheets. The

3 Ifi'e'chanisfii for accomplishing this is best shown in Figs. 4, 16 and 17 and includes a ratchet wheel I93 which is secured to a rock shaft I54 rotatably mounted in a boss I95 formed in the front frame member 25. A knob 2I5 is secured to the forward end of shaft I95 whereby the shaft and 5 wheel may be manually rotated for resetting. A ratchet pawl I95 is rotatably mounted on a boss I 9'? formed on the front face of one arm I30 and is yieldably held in operating engagement with the ratchet wheel I93 by means of a tension 10 spring 240 connected at one end to the pawl I96 and at its other end to the bracket I92 secured to the arm I30.

Means are provided for regulating the amount of rotative motion given to the ratchet wheel I93 by the rocking motion of the arm I30 which includes a guard I99 of arcuate shape located closely adjacent the teeth of the ratchet wheel, secured to the outer end of an arm 200 provided with a hub 25E on which it is rotatably mounted on shaft I94. Another arm 252 is formed integral with the hub 20I having a knob 203 at its outer end, the shank of which is movable in the arcuate slot 254 in the frame member 25. De-

tent means are movable into openings 205 by yieldably holding the knob at selected position.

A switch 205 is mounted adjacent the lower side of the ratchet wheel I93 on a bracket 25'5' secured to the inner face of the frame member 25. The switch 235 is actuated by means of a single cam 208 formed at one side of the ratchet wheel near its periphery. The switch 205 is electrically connected to the solenoid operated valve I50 whereby when the switch 236 is depressed by the cam 258 the valve I50 will be opened causing the suction head assembly I43 to pick up one backing sheet from the table 4| to be delivered to the tray I70.

Stop means are provided whereby the ratchet wheel, on being reset by rotating in a clockwise direction, will be stopped at the proper location with the cam 238 depressing the switch 255 whereby a backing sheet will be delivered to the conveyor on the first cycle of operation so that the backing sheet will be at the bottom of 45 is attached a tension spring 2I2 the other end of which is attached to the bracket 20?.

A stop pin 2I3 extends outwardly from the face of the bracket 23'! and is engageable by the stop finger 209 to limit the clockwise rotation thereof as shown in Fig. 19. 2I4 extends outwardly from the rear face of the ratchet wheel I93 and engages the stop finger 209 to limit the counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel I93 as shown in Fig. 19 or the clockwise rotation as shown in Fig. 16. rotative motion of the ratchet wheel on each complete rocking motion of the arm I30 and may be regulated by moving the knob 203 and consequently the guard I99 to allow the pawl to engage more or less teeth during its movement.

The more teeth exposed beyond the end of the guard the less printed sheets will be delivered to the conveyor and to the receptacle 552 before the earn 225 depresses the switch 255 to cause a backing sheet to be fed to the top of the pile of gathered sheets. The amount of printed sheets to be delivered to the pile of gathered sheets is indicated on plate 2I5 fastened to the front of frame member 25 adjacent the knob 203.

A switch ZIB as shown in Fig. 4, is electrically Another stop pin 55 The 60 connected to the solenoid operated valve I53 and is secured to the forward face of the plate 26 and is engageable by a cam plate 2I9 secured to the rear face of one arm I30. As the arm I30 approaches the limit of its stroke over the trays and conveyor the cam plate 233 depresses the switch 2| 8 closing the valve I53 thereby momentarily cutting off the suction to all the suction heads assemblies I43 and I44. Thus when the cross head I33 picks up a sheet of printed paper or backing sheet from each of the tables M and moves them over the trays and the conveyor, the suction to the suction heads is shut off to release the sheets and backing sheet from the suction heads and allow them to drop onto the trays.

The wiring diagram for the electrical operation of the machine is shown in Fig. 20 which shows the incoming line for electric current indicated as 220 and 22I. The line 220 is connected to a stationary contactor 222 of the switch 215. A contactor 223 movable by the cam plate 2&3

secured to the arm I30 is electrically connected to one end of the coil of the solenoid operated valve I53 the other end of the coil is electrically connected to the other side of the incoming line 22I. When the contact is broken between the contactor 223 and the contactor 222 the solenoid operated suction valve I53 is open causing suction at each suction head and when the contactor 223 is moved into contact with the contactor 222 by the cam plate 2I9 the solenoid valve I53 is closed stopping the suction at the suction heads thus causing the suction heads to drop any sheets held thereby.

One side of the incoming line 220 is also connected to a stationary contactor 224 of the switch 206 and a movable contactor 225 operated by the cam 258 in ratchet wheel I93 is electrically connected to one side of the coil of the solenoid operated valve I50, the other end of the coil being electrically connected to incoming line 22I. When contact is broken between the contactor 225 and the contactor 224, the solenoid valve I50 is closed shutting off suction to the suction head assembly I43 whereby no backing sheet will be picked up. When the contactor 225 is in contact with the contactor 224, being moved into contact by the cam 208, the valve I50 is opened 'allowing the suction head assembly to pick up a backing sheet. The suction head will drop the backing sheet over the conveyor when the switch 2I8 is depressed closing the valve I53 causing all suction heads to drop the sheets carried thereby.

The incoming line 220 is also connected to a movable contactor 226 of the crank operated switch Ill and to a pole 221 of each of the switches M2 for each table. A pole 228 of the switch III is electrically connected to an opposite pole 229 of each of the switches II 2. A

movable contactor 230 is connected to one pole 232 of each switch I23 and normally makes contact as shown in the drawing with the pole 221 and when moved by the feeler button I08 at each table it makes contact and with the pole 229. Another opposite pole 234, of each of the switches I29, is electrically connected to the pole 235 of the switch H1. The movable contactor 233 is electrically connected to one side of the coil of the solenoid 51 for clutch operation. The other side of the coil for each clutch solenoid 6'! is electrically connected to the other side 22I of the incoming line. The movable contactor 233 normally makes contact with the pole 232 as shown and is movable by downward movement of the rod 44, on which each table is located, when the table reaches its lowermost position breaking contact therebetween to disengage the clutch and to make contact between the contactor 233 and the pole 234. The positions shown in Fig. 20 are the normal operation positions.

During the operation when any one of the tables reaches its uppermost position, when all the sheets thereon are removed, the table moves,

the feeler button H381 upwardly which results in the moving of the contactor 23E) of the switch H2 breaking contact with the pole 22! and making contact with pole 229 of switch H2. This breaking ofthe'contact with the pole 221 deenergizes the solenoid 67 causing the clutch for that table to become disengaged whereby that table will not be moved further upwardly.

As each table reaches its uppermost position the clutch for that table will become similarly I disengaged stopping further upward motion of the table. The position of the switch ill shown in Fig. 20 is itsnormal position and in order to lower any table that has reached it upper limit of movement the lever l23 must be pushed inwardly causing the contactor 226 of the switch H! to make contact withthe pole 228 thus the circuit is again closed to energize each solenoid 61 engaging each clutch between the shaft 5'? and the gear ifi'wherein on rotation of the crank.

I23 in a counterclockwise direction the tables may be lowered. It will be noted that after any of the tables has moved slightly downward from itsuppermost limit, the feeler button Hi8 moves downwardly movin the contactor 230:

of switch? I I2 for that table from contact with the pole 229 to contact with the pole 22? whereby the. solenoid El will remain energized holding the clutch in engagement so that table and other tables likewise may be moved manually downwardly.

While the tables are being lowered the crank I23 is'held inwardly maintaining contact between the contactors 226 and pole 228. When any one of the tables reaches its lowermost position on turnin the crank 52%, the rod 44 of that table makes contact with the switch I29 moving the contactor 233 from the position contacting the pole 23% whereby the solenoid iii will becomedeenergized and the clutch for that table will become disengaged stopping further movement of that table and allowing the crank I23 and the'shaft 4! to be further rotated'to lower the other tables. As each table reaches its lowermost position the clutch for that table similarly becomes disengaged until all the tables are lowered whereafter the shaft 4'? rotates freely without affecting any of the tables. After all the tables reach their lowermost positions the lever I23. is allowed to pivot outwardly thus causing the switch H! to move to normal position with the contactor 226 contacting the pole 235 closing a circuit to each of the solenoids 31 causing each of the clutches to become engaged whereby they may be moved upwardly step by step on rotation of the shaft 4?.

In describing the operation of the gathering machine assume that a complete set of printed sheets have been gathered in the machine and removed therefrom and it is desired to reset the machine to gather in proper relation a number of piles of printed sheets. The crank l 23 is. pushed inwardly reengaging any disengaged clutches and is rotated together with the shaft 4-! and gear 45 meshing with the teeth 4.4. Q

the rod 42 to lower the tables to their lowermost positions. As each table reaches its lowermost position the clutch for that table is disengaged whereby on further rotation of the pushed-in crank I23, the clutch for each table is disengaged until all the tables are lowered.

On releasing the crank H3 and allowin it to move outwardly the switch H1 is moved to restore all clutches to engaged position. A pile of printed sheets is placed on each table 4! except the one nearest the front on which a pile of backing sheets is placed. With the electric motor 38 in operation the shaft 39 is turned at a relatively slower speed whereby the cranks 14E at each end are rotated, thereby rocking the arms I30. The suction crosshead I33 pivotally mounted between the upper ends of the arms I39 and maintained in horizontal position, moves to a position over the rear edge of the piles of paper sheets to a position over the trays and conveyor.

The suction head assembly 143 is adapted to pick up one backin sheet at a time and deliver it to the tray H0 and the remainder of the suc tion head assemblies 1&4 are adapted, at the same time, to each pick up one paper sheet from each pile and deliver them to the trays Ill. The suction hose M5 is attached to communicate with the backing sheet. suction head assembly M3 and the suction hose E51 is attached to communicate with the suction head assemblies, M 3. Suction is applied to all suction head assemblies 545i and M4- at all times except when the sheets are to be dropped onto the trays over the conveycr when the cam plate-219 on the arm I30 moves switch 258 to close valve 153. The suction' to the suction head assembly M3 is further controlled to cut off the suction thereto when no backing sheets are to be removed and delivered to the trays Hi When the machine is started to run the cam 2E8 is adjacent the switch 2% whereby the valve I59 will be open to cause a backing sheet to be picked up and delivered to the tray I78 whereby it will be at the bottom of the gathered pile of sheets in receptacle I92. The guard 39 is set by the knob 293 to regulate the number of sheets to be moved from the tables and gathered in the receptacle i92 before the cam 2% again moves the switch 2% to cause the valve I50 to open to move another backing sheet on the pile of gathered sheets.

The crosshead moves back and forth between the piles of sheets on the tables and over the trays. and conveyor, first moving a backing sheet and a plurality of printed sheets, then another like amount of printed sheets, and so forth until the ratchet wheel m3 is moved a complete revolution with the cam 2538 again opposite the switch 295 whereupon another backing sheet is moved from the table to the tray lit to be moved by conveyor fingers to the top of the gathered pile.

While the crosshead picks up and delivers sheets to the trays lid and Hi the conveyor chain are moves continuously being timed to cause the fingers 15 to move the sheets along the conveyor shortly after they are delivered to the trays. The sheets are moved along the conveyor with the first sheet moved being on the bottom and the next one moved located above that and so on.

The ratchet wheel 593 may be reset against the stop finger 2&9 by moving the arm 538 to a position to the left of the machine whereby the pawl i965 will be held from engagement with ratchet 13 wheel !93 allowing the ratchet wheel to be rotated by means of the knob MB in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 16 until the pin 2M engages the stop finger 209.

Having thus described my invention I desire it to be understood that the invention is in no Way limited to the particular illustrative embodiment disclosed, the scope being set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A gathering machine comprising, a plurality of sheet pile stations, at each of which a pile of superimposed horizontal sheets are adapted to be placed, a corresponding plurality of sheet receiving trays, two pivoted arms having swinging ends, a crosshead pivctally mounted on and extending between the swinging ends of said arms, means for swinging said arms to move said crosshead to positions over said sheet piles and said receiving trays respectively, suction means on said crosshead, one for each sheet pile for picking a sheet from each pile and depositing it in a respective tray, means for maintaining said crosshead in position throughout its swinging movement whereby said suction means are maintained at their sheet engaging portions substantially parallel to a horizontal plane, and means for removing sheets from said trays.

2. A gathering machine comprising, a plurality of sheet pile stations, at each of which a pile of superimposed horizontal sheets are adapted to be placed, and further including a back sheet pile station, a corresponding plurality of sheet receiving trays, a movably mounted horizontal crosshead, means for bodily moving said crosshead from positions over said sheet pile and backing the sheet pile stations and said receiving trays respectively, a plurality of suction cups mounted on and movable with said crosshead, said suction cups being equal in number and located to register with said sheet pile and said backing sheet pile stations and their respective receiving trays, said cross head having one passage communicating only with the suction cup for said backing sheet pile, and having a second passage communicating with the suction cups for said other sheet piles, a suction pump, a conduit connecting said backing sheet suction cup passage with said suction pump, a second conduit connecting said second passage for the other sheet pile suction cups with said suction pump, a shut-off valve in each of said conduits, means for opening and closing the valve in the second conduit at each cycle of movements of said crosshead, and means for opening and closing said, valve in said first conduit during intermittent cycles of movements of said crosshead, greater in number than single cycles thereof.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2, said means for opening and closing the shut-ofi valve in the conduit for the backing sheet suction cup comprising, an electric circuit, a switch in said circuit, a ratchet wheel, a pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel, means for oscillating the pawl synchronized with the movement of said crosshead, means for skipping the pawl from some of the ratchet wheel teeth, means for controlling the number of teeth skipped by said pawl at each oscillation, means actuated by rotation of said ratchet wheel for opening and closing said electric switch, and operative connections of the switch with said shut-ofi valve for opening and closing said valve.

4. The elements of claim 3, in which the means for controlling the number of teeth skipped by the pawl comprises, an arcuate plate located closely adjacent the periphery of said ratchet wheel in a position to lift the pawl from the ratchet teeth, during a part of the oscillation, of said pawl, means for rotating said ratchet wheel counter to its driven rotation, and means for limiting such counter rotation of the ratchet wheel, thereby accurately setting the position of said switch actuating means.

HENRY T. HONIG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 460,165 Stebbins et a1 Sept. 29, 1891 1,833,292 Krick Nov. 24, 1931 1,865,750 Elwell July 5, 1932 2,169,491 Cernak May 30, 1939 2,167,470 West July 25, 1939 2,230,633 Williams Feb. 4, 1941 2,239,995 Daneke et a1 Apr. 29, 1941 2,295,055 Rupp et al Sept. 8, 1942 2,295,073 Blythe et al. Sept. 8, 1942 2,362,134 Honig Nov. 7, 1944 

